Grenada Track Hosts First Meet

Grenada School District hosted its first track meet in over 25 years this spring. The Grenada Invitational, held March 26, brought six other schools from around the region to compete on Grenada’s new rubber track and field as part of the refurbished Charger Stadium.

Jeff Williams, head coach for the boys and girls teams at both Grenada High and Middle Schools, said the meet allowed the program to show off its new track and field space as well as its top athletes.

The new six-lane rubber turf track has enhanced training and allowed all of his athletes to better prepare for their competitions. He has a young team (only four senior boys and four senior girls), but there is deep talent on the roster. 

Senior Kelton Jones (pictured above), one of the state’s best high jumpers, came in second at last year’s state tournament. He jumped 6’8” then and has already hit 6’10” this year. Williams said, “There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be able to jump seven feet by the time the state tournament rolls around.”

The new space has helped the hurdle runners as well as the long- and triple-jumpers, who now have a nice sand jump pit. Williams is currently training two pole vaulters and is working with the district’s maintenance and ground crew to prepare areas for shotput and discus hurling. 

“I’ve already had some coaches tell me how nice it is to be able to walk from one event to another in less than a minute,” Williams said. “At some of the other schools, it’s spread out. The way we designed it, our track events won’t interfere with one another, but coaches and athletes can get there quickly.” 

Williams said Grenada’s ability to host its own track meets has several advantages. For starters, students don’t have to leave school so early. Running at home cuts down on travel expenses, and it gets the local community more interested in track and field. “Plus, instead of paying entry fees, you’re receiving entry fees,” he said. “I think it can be a money maker for the school.”

The track program has grown by leaps and bounds since Williams took over ten years ago. “Back then we had about seven or eight boys and girls on the team. This year, with middle and high school combined, we have a little over 100 athletes on both teams.”

Williams’ immediate goal for the program is to host four meets next year, two at the middle school level and two at the high school level. He believes Grenada can win a state championship. “That’s the ultimate goal for any sport in high school athletics,” he said. “But we also hope to give more kids an opportunity to run in college.” 

Williams also hopes to get more students and staff interested in the sport. “I truly believe a strong track program can only improve all sports at Grenada.”

The track teams have a few more meets around the region before the North State meet on April 27 and the state meet on May 4. Tryouts for next year’s team will be held after football season this fall.